In The Mix: DJ Adsorb
Located on the British South Coast, Brighton sports one of the UK's preeminent destinations for exotic nightlife as it has nearly 400 pubs and myriad of dance clubs. DJ Adsorb (aka Adam Dowling) has grabbed Great Britain by storm with his massive break beat remixes of top indie sensations The Killers, MGMT and the Futureheads. Recently, he remixed Splitloop's trip-hop Party People into a funky breaks mix. DJ Adsorb booked his travels with SkyTram to share the latest on his upcoming releases, his experience at the Glade Festival 2009 and a strange encounter with a celebrity super star.Could you describe the intensive creative process that went into your electro-house re-edits of MGMT and Dizzee Rascal’s Bonkers?
Well without giving too much away ... it's all about seeing the potential in a tune and putting my own ideas and slant on it – creating different drum patterns layering synths and emphasizing what is already there to create something fresh and exciting!
MGMT Kids (Adsorb Re-Edit)
Your new Bonkers remix is getting rave reviews on blogs and on BBC Radio 1. How long did it take to come up with the added beats and extra production to make your Re-edit stand out?
I worked on it for a few days then left it as the flow wasn't right to start with. But came back to it just before the Glade Festival, as I wanted to play it there and finished it off in an afternoon.
What was your motivation behind the Bonkers mix?
My motivation was to create a solid breakbeat version as the original was 4x4 and there had been a big dubstep version that everyone was playing already.
Glade Festival 2009 Promo Music & Highlights
You played a large variety of trance, house and electro dance tunes at the Glade Festival in July. Describe for those overseas what the festival is about, what was your experience there and what made it an awesome scene for technogoers?
The Glade Festival is one of the best electronic music festivals in Europe. It covers all music styles and has something for everyone. They always have top-notch production and they get the most cutting edge DJ's and producers to play each year. This was my first time DJing at the Glade Festival with the guys from Nuskoolbreaks.co.uk in the Breakdown Tent. I only came down for the night as I had to get back to London. And my first impression was a cross between Mad Max, Dust Till Dawn and Flesh Eating Zombies.....stick that around 10 massive sound systems, lots of mud, serious partygoers and your getting close...
Do you have any big remix projects or new singles that you could describe or tease for us?
I have a new remix coming out soon on Against The Grain, a Deekline & Wizard tune called Fire. There is also a new remix for Kid Kenobi's new label 'Too Fresh' entitled Too Fresh that's coming out soon too.
Best Remix you have heard this year?
Ghetto Blaster by Krafty Kuts is a top tune.
Best New Band In The UK?
I heard Freeland play live at Glastonbury Festival with his new band and was pretty blown away.
Favorite Album this year?
General Midi's new album is very cool. Kings of Leon's album is great on more of a band tip.
Favorite Classic Rock Icon and why?
Probably Jimi Hendrix as he was just way ahead of his time.
Have you had any favorable or awkward run-ins with a famous celebrity?
I got asked to DJ at the wrap party for Pride and Prejudice, which was being filmed at Chatsworth House near Sheffield. I had to DJ in a Marquee after Micheal Flatleys River Dance band....Kiera Knightley and the whole cast were there dancing...very bizzare!
If I were planning a trip to Brighton, where should I go for the following:
Favorite Lodging: Lodging in Brighton would be Hotel Pelirocco, very cool themed hotel.
Favorite Club: Club – Audio (Supercharged on a Wed night)
Favorite Pub: Sidewinder in Kemptown on a hot summer's day.
Favorite Record Shop: Rounder RecordsFavorite Restaurant: Sawadee (Lovely Thai place on St James St.
Posted 8/17/09
For the latest details on DJ Adsorb's upcoming gigs and for free downloads, join his Facebook Group. You can also find him on Myspace for exclusive information on his upcoming releases.
